Buckle device

ABSTRACT

A buckle device is disclosed for fastening a first belt relative to a second belt. The device includes a first member having a first and a second portion, the first portion being anchored to the first belt. A second member releasably interlocks with the first member, the second member having a first and a second part, the first part being anchored to the second belt. The second portion of the first member includes a latch which extends flexibly from the first portion, the latch having a proximal and a distal end. A receptacle defines a first and a second opening and a cam is disposed between the latch and the receptacle. The second part of the second member includes a further latch which extends flexibly from the first part, for the releasable reception thereof within the receptacle. The further latch has a first and a second end and a further receptacle defines a first and a second aperture. The further receptacle receives therein the latch. A further cam is disposed between the further latch and the further receptacle. The further cam cooperates with the cam for urging the latch into latching engagement with the first aperture and for urging the further latch into latching engagement with the first opening. The distal end of the latch defines a lateral rib which interacts with the first aperture when the members are disposed in a locked first disposition thereof so that the rib inhibits dislodgement of the latch through the first aperture when certain forces are exerted on the buckle device. Also, the second end of the further latch defines a further lateral rib which interacts with the first opening when the members are disposed in the locked first disposition thereof. The arrangement is such that the further rib inhibits dislodgement of the further latch through the first opening when certain forces are exerted on the buckle device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a buckle device for fastening a first belt relative to another belt. More particularly, the present invention relates to a buckle device of the type known as a side release buckle.

[0002] Buckles find numerous applications in various sports activities such as mountaineering, bicycling, roller-blading and the like. Buckles also find numerous applications in other areas such as casual outerwear, luggage, juvenile products, and the like. Basically, buckles, such as side release buckles, provide a means for rapidly and easily releasing one belt from engagement with another belt. In one particular application, such belts are used for restraining a child in a car seat placed in an automobile. Although buckles of the aforementioned type have been extremely reliable in providing a quick release mechanism for belts, there is a tendency for latching members of such buckles to become disengaged when certain forces are applied to the buckles. Prior buckles have been designed to withstand very high forces tending to pull the latching members of the buckles apart. However, when forces exerted on the buckle cause the latching members of the buckle to bend, the latching members tend to become disengaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned tendency by the provision of a special latch member or catch which extends from a latching member or arm of a buckle, so that regardless of the amount of pulling, twisting and bending forces applied to the buckle, the latching arm of the buckle will not be unintentionally or prematurely released or disengaged.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, the latching arm is received by a female member of the buckle. The latch catch is designed in such a manner that when the latch arm is forced to flex or bend because of the combined forces being applied to the buckle, the latch catch prevents the latch arm from disengaging from the female member.

[0005] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a top, exploded plan view of a buckle device embodying the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the buckle of FIG. 1 illustrating the buckle in final assembly.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but partially in section.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a side view of the buckle shown in FIG. 2 illustrating various loads being applied to the buckle.

[0012]FIG. 7 is a perspective, top view of the buckle of FIG. 6 illustrating the buckle under load.

[0013] Before the preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014]FIG. 1 illustrates a buckle device generally designated 10 embodying the present invention. The buckle device 10 fastens a first belt 12 relative to a second belt 14. The buckle device 10 is sometimes referred to as a twin style, side release buckle. It should be understood that the present invention is capable of use in other buckles, particularly, single style or standard side release buckles (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,464), and the buckle device 10 is merely shown and described as an example of one such buckle.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the device 10 includes a first member generally designated 16 having a first and a second portion 18 and 20 respectively, the first portion 18 being anchored to the first belt 12. A second member generally designated 22 releasably interlocks with the first member 16, the second member 22 having a first and a second part 24 and 26 respectively, the first part 24 being anchored to the second belt 14. Preferably, the members 16 and 22 are made of a plastic material. The second portion 20 of the first member 16 includes a latch 28 which extends flexibly from the first portion 18, the latch 28 having a proximal and a distal end 30 and 32 respectively. A receptacle generally designated 34 defines a first and a second opening 36 and 38 respectively. A cam 40 is disposed between the latch 28 and the receptacle 34.

[0016] The second part 26 of the second member 22 includes a further latch 42 which extends flexibly from the first part 24 for the releasable reception thereof within the receptacle 34. The further latch 42 has a first and a second end 44 and 46 respectively, and a further receptacle generally designated 48 defines a first and a second aperture 50 and 52 respectively. The further receptacle 48 receives therein the latch 28. A further cam 54 is disposed between the further latch 42 and the further receptacle 48. The further cam 54 cooperates with the cam 40 for urging the latch 28 into latching engagement with the first aperture 50 and for urging the further latch 42 into latching engagement with the first opening 36.

[0017] The distal end 32 of the latch 28 defines a lateral rib or catch member 56 which interacts with a surface defining the first aperture 50. FIG. 2 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 1, but shows the members 16 and 22 locked together. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the members 16 and 22 are disposed in a locked first disposition thereof. As will be more fully explained below, the catch 56 inhibits dislodgement of the latch 28 from the first aperture 50 when certain forces are exerted on the buckle device 10. Without the catch 56, the latch 28 could dislodge from the first aperture 50 when such forces are present.

[0018] As also shown in FIG. 1, the second end 46 of the further latch 42 defines a further lateral rib or further catch member 60 which interacts with the first opening 36 when the members 16 and 22 are disposed in the locked first disposition thereof (see FIGS. 2 and 4). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and as will be more fully explained below, the arrangement is such that the further rib 60 inhibits dislodgement of the further latch 42 from the first opening 36 when certain forces are exerted on the buckle device 10. Without the rib 60, the latch 42 could dislodge from the first opening 36 when such forces are present.

[0019] Referring again to FIG. 1, the first portion 18 defines a hole 62 and an anchor bar 64 extends longitudinally across the hole 62 so that when the first belt 12 is threaded through the hole 62 and around the bar 64, the first belt 12 is coupled to the first member 16. Furthermore, the first part 24 defines a further hole 66 and a further anchor bar 68 extends longitudinally across the further hole 66 so that when the second belt 14 is threaded through the further hole 66 and around the further bar 68, the second belt 14 is connected to the second member 22.

[0020] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the distal end 32 of the latch 28 preferably defines a head 70 of bulbous shaped configuration for the slidable reception thereof within the second aperture 52, the head 70 having a forward and a rearward end 72 and 74 respectively, the head 70 defining an inner and an outer surface 76 and 78 respectively. The rearward end 74 of the head 70 defines an undercut 80 which extends into the first aperture 50 when the members 16 and 22 are disposed in the locked first disposition as shown in FIG. 2. The forward end 72 of the head 70 defines an undercut 81 which also extends into the first aperture 50 when the members 16 and 22 are disposed in the locked first disposition as shown in FIG. 2. The undercuts 80 and 81, acting together or individually, interact with the first aperture 50 for locking the head 70 within the further receptacle 48.

[0021] Referring back to FIG. 1, the second end 46 of the further latch 42 defines a further head 82 of bulbous shaped configuration for the slidable reception thereof within the second opening 38. The further head 82 has a further forward and a further rearward end 84 and 86 respectively, the further head 82 defining a further inner and a further outer surface 88 and 90 respectively. The further rearward end 86 of the further head 82 defines a further undercut 92, and the further forward end 84 of the further head 82 defines another further undercut 93. As shown in FIG. 2, the undercuts 92 and 93 extend into the first opening 36 when the members 16 and 22 are disposed in the locked first disposition, so that the further undercuts 92 and 93, acting in concert or individually, interact with the first opening 36 for locking the further head 82 within the receptacle 34.

[0022] With reference once again to FIG. I as needed, further details of the buckle device 10 will be described. A neck 94 is disposed between the proximal end 30 and the head 70. The neck 94 further defines the undercut 80. In other words, surface 93 of neck 94 is lower than surface 95 of catch 56, thereby defining at least a portion of undercut 80. In addition, a neck 96 is disposed between the first end 44 of the further latch 42 and the further head 82. The neck 96 further defines the undercut 92. In other words, surface 97 of neck 96 is lower than surface 99 of catch 60, thereby defining at least a portion of undercut 92. The receptacle 34 defines an L-shaped edge generally designated 98 having a first and a second face 100 and 102 respectively, the first face 100 defining the second opening 38. FIG. 5 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 1, but shows the members 16 and 22 partially in section. As shown in FIG. 5, the second face 102 defines an orifice 104 for the slidable reception therein of the further cam 54. Also, the further receptacle 48 defines a further L-shaped edge generally designated 106 having a first and a second side 108 and 110 respectively. The first side 108 defines the second aperture 52. The second side 110 defines a further orifice 112 for the slidable reception therein of the cam 40. The L-shaped edge 98 and the further L-shaped edge 106 cooperate with each other when the members 16 and 22 are disposed in the locked first disposition thereof as shown in FIG. 2. The cam 40 defines an inclined surface 114 and the further cam 54 defines a further inclined surface 116. The inclined surfaces 114 and 116 slidably interact with each other when the members 16 and 22 are moved towards each other as indicated by the arrow 118, to the locked first disposition thereof as shown in FIG. 2.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first opening 36 defines an arc-shaped configuration 120 for the reception therein of a user's thumb (not shown) so that when the further latch 42 is depressed, the further latch 42 can be released from engagement with the first opening 36. In addition, the first aperture 50 defines a further arc-shaped configuration 122 for the reception therein of a user's first finger (not shown) so that when the latch 28 is depressed, the latch 28 can be released from engagement with the first aperture 50.

[0024] With reference now again to FIGS. 2-4, the lateral rib 56 has a first and a second extremity 124 and 126 respectively, and the further lateral rib 60 has a further first and a further second extremity 128 and 130 respectively. The first and second extremities 124 and 126 of the lateral rib 56, and the further first and second extremities 128 and 130 of the lateral rib 60, are adapted to engage the further arc-shaped configuration 122 and the arc-shaped configuration 120 respectively. For clarification, as shown in FIG. 3, the rib 56 extends laterally from the latch 28 as indicated by the arrow 132, and as shown in FIG. 4, the further rib 60 extends laterally from the further latch 42 as indicated by the arrow 134. When certain forces are applied to the buckle 10, the catch members 56 and 60 prevent the respective latch member 28 and 42 from dislodging from the associated female receptacle.

[0025]FIG. 6 illustrates an example of what type of forces could be applied to a buckle device, such as a buckle device 10, which would cause the male members or latch arms to disengage from the associated female members, but for the catch members of the present invention to keep the parts from dislodging. In general, the combination of a force tending to pull the buckle 10 apart and a twisting or bending or lateral force applied to the buckle, results in the bending of the buckle 10 as shown, for example, in FIG. 7. In conjunction with FIG. 1, such forces also result in the latches 28 and 42 bending inward toward each other. In prior designs, as the latch arms were caused to bend, the absence of an appropriate catch member resulted in the latch arms being disconnected from the associated female receptacle. As shown in FIG. 6, under load, the rib 60 engages surface 120 of the female receptacle 34 to prevent the removal of the latch 42 from the opening 36. More specifically, undercut 92 eliminates a lead in surface typically found in prior designs which would allow a latch arm to slide out of the associated female receptacle under certain loads. As a result, undercut 93 is able to engage surface 120 to prevent the removal of latch 42 from opening 36 when certain loads are applied to the buckle 10. See the circled area designated “A” in FIG. 7 for a better appreciation of the lock ledge 60 fully engaging the surface 120 of the female receptacle 34. Although not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the same type of description is true for latch 28 and the associated components.

[0026] In sum, in operation of the buckle device 10 according to the present invention, the members 16 and 22 are moved towards each other as indicated by the arrow 118 shown in FIG. 5. The inclined surfaces 114 and 116 slide relative to each other as they are received into the orifices 112 and 104 respectively. As the inclined surfaces 114 and 116 move towards each other, they urge the heads 70 and 82 into locking engagement with the aperture 50 and opening 36. As explained, in the absence of the ribs 56 and 60, there is a tendency for the heads 70 and 82 to become dislodged from locking engagement with the aperture 50 and opening 36 when certain forces are applied to the buckle device 10. However, by the provision of the lateral ribs 56 and 60, the application of such forces causes the ribs 56 and 60 to lock firmly against the sides of the aperture 50 and opening 36 thus preventing the aforementioned tendency to disengage. Nevertheless, in the absence of such forces, upon application of pressure by a user's thumb as indicated by the arrow 136 shown in FIG. 2, and the application of pressure by the user's first finger as indicated in FIG. 2 by the arrow 138, the members 16 and 22 are readily released from engagement with each other.

[0027] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiment described herein explains the best mode known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

[0028] Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A buckle device comprising: a male member including a first portion and a second portion, the second portion including a latch arm extending flexibly from the first portion in a first direction, the latch arm having a catch member which extends in a direction that is generally lateral to the first direction; and a female member adapted to receive the latch arm of the male member to releasably interlock the male member to the female member, such that when the male and female members are disposed in a locked first disposition thereof and the combination of a force tending to pull the buckle device apart and a twisting or bending or lateral force are applied to the buckle device to cause the latch arm to want to unintentionally dislodge from the female member, the catch member engages a surface of the female member to prevent the undesirable dislodgement of the male member from the female member.
 2. A buckle device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the latch arm includes a proximal end adjacent the first portion, and a distal end spaced a distance from the first portion, the distal end including the catch member and further defining a head having a bulbous shaped configuration, and wherein the catch member includes an undercut which is at least partially defined by the head and which is adapted to engage the surface of the female member to prevent the undesirable dislodgement of the male member from the female member.
 3. A buckle device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the latch arm includes a proximal end adjacent the first portion, and a distal end spaced from the first portion, the distal end defining a head having a forward end and a rearward end, the latch arm further including a neck extending between the proximal end and the rearward end of the head, and wherein each of the forward end and the rearward end of the head includes an undercut, the undercuts being a part of the catch member and also being adapted to engage the surface of the female member to prevent the undesirable dislodgement of the male member from the female member.
 4. A buckle device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the latch arm includes a proximal end adjacent the first portion, and a distal end spaced from the first portion, the distal end defining a head having a forward end and a rearward end, the latch arm further including a neck extending between the proximal end and the rearward end of the head, and wherein the forward end of the head includes a first undercut having a first extremity and the rearward end of the head includes a second undercut having a second extremity, the undercuts being a part of the catch member, and such that at least one of the first and the second extremities is adapted to engage the surface of the female member to prevent the undesirable dislodgement of the male member from the female member.
 5. A buckle device as set forth in claim 4, wherein both of the extremities are adapted to engage the surface of the female member to prevent the undesirable dislodgement of the male member from the female member.
 6. A buckle device for fastening a first belt relative to a second belt, the buckle device comprising: a first member including a first portion and a second portion which operably engages the first belt, the second portion including a latch member flexibly extending from the first portion, the latch member having a proximal end and a distal end which includes a laterally extending catch member, the second portion further including a receptacle; and a second member including a first part and a second part which operably engages the second belt, the second part including a further latch member flexibly extending from the first part, the further latch member having a first end and a second end which includes a laterally extending further catch member, the second part further including a further receptacle; wherein the first and second members releasably interlock with respect to one another, such that in a locked position, the latch member is received by the further receptacle and the further latch member is received by the receptacle, and such that when a combined force, including a tension force tending to pull the buckle device apart and a lateral force tending to bend the buckle device, is applied to the buckle device to cause the latch member and the further latch member to want to unintentionally dislodge from the associated receptacle and further receptacle, the catch member engages a surface of the second member and the further catch member engages a surface of the first member to prevent the undesirable dislodgement of the first member from the second member.
 7. A buckle device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the distal end of the latch member defines a head having a bulbous shaped configuration, the catch member includes an undercut which is at least partially defined by the head, the second end of the further latch member defines a further head having a bulbous shaped configuration, and the further catch member includes a further undercut which is at least partially defined by the further head, such that the undercut is adapted to engage the surface of the second member and the further undercut is adapted to engage the surface of the first member to prevent the undesirable dislodgement of the first member from the second member.
 8. A buckle device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the distal end of the latch member defines a head having a forward end and a rearward end, the latch member further includes a neck extending between the proximal end and the rearward end of the head, each of the forward end and the rearward end of the head including an undercut, the undercuts being a part of the catch member, the second end of the further latch member defines a further head having a forward end and a rearward end, the further latch member further including a neck extending between the first end and the rearward end of the further head, each of the forward end and the rearward end of the further head including a further undercut, the further undercuts being a part of the further catch member, such that the undercuts are adapted to engage the surface of the second member and the further undercuts are adapted to engage the surface of the first member to prevent the undesirable dislodgement of the male member from the female member.
 9. A buckle device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the distal end defines a head having a forward end and a rearward end, the latch member further includes a neck extending between the proximal end and the rearward end of the head, the forward end of the head including a first undercut having a first extremity and the rearward end of the head including a second undercut having a second extremity, the first and second undercuts being a part of the catch member, the second end defines a further head having a forward end and a rearward end, the further latch member further includes a neck extending between the first end and the rearward end of the further head, the forward end of the further head including a third undercut having a third extremity and the rearward end of the further head including a fourth undercut having a fourth extremity, the third and fourth undercuts being a part of the further catch member, such that at least one of the first and the second extremities is adapted to engage the surface of the second member and at least one of the third and the fourth extremities is adapted to engage the surface of the first member to prevent the undesirable dislodgement of the first member from the second member.
 10. A buckle device as set forth in claim 9, wherein both of the first and second extremities are adapted to engage the surface of the second member and both of the third and fourth extremities are adapted to engage the surface of the first member to prevent the undesirable dislodgement of the first member from the second member.
 11. A buckle device for fastening a first belt relative to a second belt, the buckle device comprising: a first member including a first and a second portion, the first portion being anchored to the first belt; a second member releasably interlocking with the first member, the second member including a first and a second part, the first part being anchored to the second belt; the second portion of the first member including a latch extending flexibly from the first portion, the latch having a proximal and a distal end, a receptacle defining a first and a second opening, and a cam disposed between the latch and the receptacle; the second part of the second member including a further latch extending flexibly from the first part, for the releasable reception thereof within the receptacle, the further latch having a first and a second end, a further receptacle defining a first and a second aperture, the further receptacle receiving therein the latch, and a further cam disposed between the further latch and the further receptacle, the further cam cooperating with the cam for urging the latch into latching engagement with the first aperture and for urging the further latch into latching engagement with the first opening; the distal end of the latch defining a lateral rib which interacts with the first aperture when the members are disposed in a locked first disposition thereof so that the rib inhibits dislodgement of the latch through the first aperture when a force is applied to the buckle device that tends to cause the latch to bend toward the cam; and the second end of the further latch defining a further lateral rib which interacts with the first opening when the members are disposed in the locked first disposition thereof so that the further rib inhibits dislodgement of the further latch through the first opening when a force is applied to the buckle device that tends to cause the further latch to bend toward the further cam.
 12. A buckle device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the members are fabricated from a plastics material.
 13. A buckle device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the first portion defines a hole, and an anchor bar extending longitudinally across the hole so that when the first belt is threaded through the hole and around the bar, the first belt is fastened to itself for anchoring the first belt to the first member, and wherein the first part defines a further hole, and a further anchor bar extending longitudinally across the further hole so that when the second belt is threaded through the further hole and around the further bar, the second belt is fastened to itself for anchoring the second belt to the second member.
 14. A buckle device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the distal end of the latch defines a head of bulbous shaped configuration for the slidable reception thereof within the second aperture, the head having a forward and a rearward end, the head defining an inner and an outer surface, the rearward end of the head defining an undercut which extends through the first aperture when the members are disposed in the locked first disposition so that the undercut interacts with the first aperture for locking the head within the further receptacle, and wherein the second end of the further latch defines a further head of bulbous shaped configuration for the slidable reception thereof within the second opening, the further head having a further forward and a further rearward end, the further head defining a further inner and a further outer surface, the further rearward end of the further head defining a further undercut which extends through the first opening when the members are disposed in the locked first disposition so that the further undercut interacts with the first opening for locking the further head within the receptacle.
 15. A buckle device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the second portion of the first member further includes a neck disposed between the proximal end and the head for further defining the undercut, and wherein the second part of the second member further includes a further neck disposed between the first end of the latch and the further head for further defining the further undercut.
 16. A buckle device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the receptacle defines an L-shaped edge having a first and a second face, the first face defining the second opening, the second face defining an orifice for the slidable reception therein of the further cam, and wherein the further receptacle defines a further L-shaped edge having a first and a second side, the first side defining the second aperture, the second side defining a further orifice for the slidable reception therein of the cam, the L-shaped edge and the further L-shaped edge cooperating with each other when the members are disposed in the locked first disposition thereof.
 17. A buckle device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the cam defines an inclined surface, and wherein the further cam defines a further inclined surface, the inclined surfaces slidably interacting with each other when the members are moved towards each other to the locked first disposition thereof.
 18. A buckle device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the first opening defines an arc-shaped configuration for the reception therein of a user's thumb so that when the further latch is depressed, the further latch is released from engagement with the first opening, and wherein the first aperture defines a further arc-shaped configuration for the reception therein of a user's first finger so that when the latch is depressed, the latch is released from engagement with the first aperture.
 19. A buckle device as set forth in claim 18, wherein the lateral rib has a first and a second extremity, the first and second extremities of the lateral rib being engagable with the further arc-shaped configuration so that application of the force that tends to cause the latch to want to bend toward the cam actually urges at least one of the first and second extremities into retaining engagement with the further arc-shaped configuration so that disengagement of the members is inhibited, and wherein the further lateral rib has a further first and a further second extremity, the further first and further second extremities of the further lateral rib being engagable with the arc-shaped configuration so that application of the force that tends to cause the further latch to want to bend toward the further cam actually urges at least one of the further first and second extremities into retaining engagement with the arc-shaped configuration so that disengagement of the members is inhibited.
 20. A buckle device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the latch extends from the first portion in a first direction and the rib extends from the latch in a direction which is generally normal to the first direction, and wherein the further latch extends from the first part in a second direction which is generally parallel to the first direction and the further rib extends from the further latch in a direction which is generally normal to the second direction. 